In the context of genetics, what does the term "phenotype" refer to?

Phenotype refers to the observable physical characteristics and traits of an organism, which are the result of the interaction between its genetic makeup (genotype) and the environment. This includes features such as height, color, shape, and behavior. The distinct aspects of an organism's phenotype can vary among individuals even if they share the same genotype due to environmental influences or genetic variations.

The other options focus on different aspects of genetics. The genetic makeup of an organism pertains to its genotype, which is the specific combination of alleles it carries. The combination of alleles relates closely to genotype as well. Meanwhile, the expected outcomes of a genetic cross involve predictions about probabilities of genotypes and phenotypes resulting from mating, but they do not define what a phenotype is. Thus, understanding the distinction between genotype and phenotype is essential for studying inheritance patterns and variations in biological traits.